Former UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez is returning to The Octagon this weekend, but he’s also discussing life after fighting. He’s made his WWE aspirations clear, as he recently took part in a training session at the WWE Performance Center. MMA Fighting got a great interview with Velasquez about his possible pro wrestling career.
View the highlights below:
Why he went to the WWE Performance Center:
It was a learning process for me. Obviously, it’s a different sport, a whole different way of doing it. So, for me, it was an opportunity to see if I could even do it. Does [my wrestling] translate over from what I’ve done in the past to this or is it something totally different? I found that for me, I learned a lot of the stuff very quickly from past experiences from wrestling and MMA.
The differences between MMA and pro wrestling:
It’s working with someone, rather than working against someone and trying to beat them which I thought was super cool. Really good atmosphere with the people that were there and the coaches. In there, you’re a team and you go forward and try to make WWE the best thing it can be. That mentality is awesome. It’s different from what we do in mixed martial arts. We have teams that we’re associated with, but the whole sport in general, it’s more self-centered. WWE might seem that way but it’s not. People are working together, Triple H is helping everyone to be their best. That’s not something I’ve experienced since I was in college or high school. It was a really positive work environment.
If he can do pro wrestling:
Hell yeah. I am [interested in it]. The transition was pretty easy. I’m pretty athletic for a big guy. I learn by watching, I’ve never been someone that sits in a classroom and learn that way.
His attitude towards wrestling if he does do it:
It would take time. I need to be in the gym more to do that. I need to be engulfed in it for months to be the best that I could. I’m not looking to just do it half-assed and do some appearances. If I do it, I’m gonna do it 100 percent.
His family’s reaction:
My family just started watching. I introduced it to my daughter. Now that we’ve started watching it, [my wife and daughter] love it. They love the drama associated with it. It’s cool that we get to experience it for the first time as a family. Lots of great moments.
Check out the full interview below:
Transcription by WrestleZone.com Senior Editor Tyler Treese.
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